Ask the Experts
Suicide Prevention and Crisis Intervention Strategies
Speakers
- Scott Chavez, CC Crisis Center Training Lead
- Stephanie Lewis, LMFT, Division Director of Crisis Services, AC Behavioral Health
Summary
The month of September is National Suicide Awareness Month. Therefore, the topic for NAMI Contra Costa’s General Meeting in September focused on suicide prevention. The Contra Costa Crisis Center was well-aware that COVID-19 and the continuing social distancing protocols were creating sustained stress in many people’s lives. Scott discussed the Contra Costa Crisis Center’s recommendations related to COVID-19 stress, self-care, and safety planning for anyone at any level of risk for suicidal behavior. In addition, Scott shared the effects of COVID-19 on the calls, caller, and the team of staff and volunteers who answered the crisis calls.
About Scott Chavez
Scott Chavez is the Outreach and Training Lead at the Contra Costa Crisis Center, founded in 1963, where each day, volunteers and staff provided support, counseling, and resource information – helping people in emotional or psychological distress.
About Stephanie Lewis
Stephanie Lewis, LMFT, is the Division Director of Crisis Services in Alameda County Behavioral Health (ACBH), providing oversight, direction, planning, and development of the full spectrum of crisis services and multidisciplinary teams within the ACBH Crisis Division. She has over 21 years of experience working in collaboration with law enforcement and emergency medical services, providing crisis mental health services to individuals throughout Alameda County. She has more than 16 years of expert experience providing various trainings to consumers, clinicians, community providers, and law enforcement on topics related to mental health crisis assessment, intervention, and de-escalation.
